rear 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrir How to pronounce rear (audio)
Definition of rearnext
as in back
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part go to the back of the building and look out the rear window and you'll see the eagle

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rear

2 of 3

noun

ˈrir How to pronounce rear (audio)
1
as in tail
a behind part or surface the rear of the car was sleekly designed

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2
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits fell off her skates onto her rear

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rear

3 of 3

verb

ˈrir How to pronounce rear (audio)
1
as in to raise
to bring to maturity through care and education watched a documentary on how wolves rear their young

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2
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position it took all the men in the village to rear the frame for the barn, pulling hard at the ropes until all the sides were standing

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3
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials the city has plans for rearing a new convention center over the next two years

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4
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care an amateur who rears rare orchids in a professional-grade greenhouse

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rear contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rear are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and raise. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

When could boost be used to replace rear?

While the synonyms boost and rear are close in meaning, boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for rear?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

In what contexts can heave take the place of rear?

Although the words heave and rear have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When can hoist be used instead of rear?

While in some cases nearly identical to rear, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When might lift be a better fit than rear?

The words lift and rear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When is raise a more appropriate choice than rear?

The words raise and rear can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rear
Adjective
More than 218,000 Model 3, Model Y and Model S/X vehicles were recalled in May over a rear camera issue. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Marcus and John Doe #1 fought in the rear compartment of the U-Haul van. — Niya Doyle, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
The latter includes the new Ethereal Blue, plus the striking option of a graduated finish that shifts from black at the rear to one of three colors – blue, violet and gunmetal – at the front, as pictured above. — Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 This can be done through the Xpedition's new air nozzle built into the left-rear fender. — New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Julianne Moore’s iconic cry-face has reared its head once again — but, this time, not on a screen big or small. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 Fallout from the swift decline in stocks across the AI landscape in July has already begun to rear its head. — Ryan Vlastelica, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear
  1. back
  2. seat
  3. raise
  4. erect
  5. build
  6. grow
  7. aft
  8. tail
Adjective
  • One of Braun’s strengths is an almost sneaky explosiveness combined with reckless abandon — whether sprinting on run-outs, squirting free on back-door cuts, throwing his body into the paint, or rising high to finish open looks from beyond the arc.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Right-hander Tyler Glasnow will return for a start on Tuesday in Atlanta after missing the past three months-plus with back discomfort.
    — Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • Cat Uden, one of the candidates running for the District 1 commission seat, agrees that more public outreach needs to happen to educate residents about a plan that could forever alter the beach.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • By 1950, the city had erected a colossal arena (significantly over budget, forcing the city to dip into its special projects fund) with 12,500 east-facing seats, the Press-Telegram reported.
    — Kate Raphael, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of seat
Verb
  • Residents in some of those markets continue to raise concerns about drone noise and privacy and how those issues could hurt property values.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Notably, Schwartzel was one of the few candidates in the race who was actually born and raised in the state.
    — Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • There was also a walkway from the tip of the catwalks that led to a secondary stage — one unlike any I’d ever seen before in 30-plus years of reviewing shows — erected at the very back of the field.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Fraser noted that a portion of the erecting shop, which will receive a more modest round of repairs, dates to 1869.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Trujillo and Duncan’s aim is to enable people with disabilities to provide for their families and build rewarding lives.
    — Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • The deal amid Utah’s growing push for advanced nuclear power.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
  • As her anger and resistance grow, her body begins to transform into porcelain, becoming a powerful symbol of her silent rebellion and her fight to reclaim her own identity.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of grow
Adjective
  • One of Windstar’s signature amenities is the aft marina on each ship, which is deployed when conditions are favorable.
    — Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This plug protected one of the 59 screws attaching the aft heatshield to the Apollo 8 command module in December 1968.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
Definition of aft
Noun
  • Smith left little trace on the scorecard as England moved to 409 all out, looking relatively becalmed for a 52-ball stay largely played alongside the tail.
    — Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The professional tail-wagger and lap warmer is the head of security at her home.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tail

Phrases Containing rear

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Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rear

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